Miami defeated Milwaukee in game one of their first round conference match-up 130-117. Milwaukee is not out of it yet. In a 7 game series, close to 23% of teams have overcome that 1st game loss.
It was the most points in a playoff game in franchise history for the Heat. Miami had the lowest scoring offense in the NBA in the regular season only averaging 109 points per contest.
𝙃𝙀𝘼𝙏 𝙒𝙄𝙉 🔥
Miami upsets Milwaukee 130-117 behind 35 points from Jimmy Butler, 22 from Bam Adebayo, and key performances from role players across the roster!
130 points is the highest scoring playoff game in franchise history ♨️@MiamiHEAT | #HEATCulture pic.twitter.com/7APBrzxrlO
— Bally Sports Sun: HEAT (@BallyHEAT) April 17, 2023
Related: Game One Preview
Injuries Rule the Day in Bucks Loss
Giannis Antetokounmpo injured his tail bone (butt/back) and Tyler Herro broke his hand in the series opening loss for Milwaukee 122-118. One would think Herro will be out for the remainder of the series. The Whitnall High School graduate is a key contributor for the Heat.
Of course, potential MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo is also a major factor in the series. He was ruled out just before halftime to return in game one. According to Coach Budenholzer, X-Rays revealed no bone breaks. Antetokounmpo has until Wednesday to rest.
Milwaukee’s depth will be tested and you might expect Giannis to miss another game or two. Miami’s depth will also be tested as Herro was their 3rd leading scorer, averaging 20.1 points per game. Considering Miami had the worst offense in the NBA, this will really hurt the Heat’s chances to upset the Bucks You could easily argue that Herro accounts for 18% of Miami’s total offense (because he does).
For Milwaukee fans there certainly has to be some concern. According to ActionNetwrok, In the first round of the playoffs, teams who win Game 1 are 263-65, winning 80.2% of the time. That number goes up when you factor in the seven game series.
It is possible to recover from an 0-1 deficit. But if it truly does only happen 19.8% of the time- again, what complicates some of these numbers of course is that NBA playoff series only were 5 games- then Milwaukee is already in a hole.
Of course it is not all bad.
Middleton did not look hurt
A major injury concern for Milwaukee was the health and status of Khris Middleton. He ended up playing 33 minutes and scored 34 points. For the team that is really great news considering his knee was a major issue entering the game.
In fact, Middleton was the Bucks leading scorer in the loss with those 34 points. He had 4 assists. Jrue Holiday led the Bucks with 16 assists in the loss.
The Bucks looked rusty and the crowd seemed “shell-shocked”
Maybe it was because of the unusual game time (Sunday at 5pm?) but the fans inside Fiserv Forum did not seem to be as into the game as previous playoff games. Color analyst Reggie Miller on the TNT Broadcast mentioned that many times.
Part of that may have been that they did not have all that much to cheer for. The Bucks did not shoot well. (24% from three and 72% from the free throw line.)
Jrue Holiday did not play all that well. He had 16 points. He was 6-18 from the field.
Brook Lopez also did not seem to play exceptionally well. He did have 3blocks. But Lopez only had 10 points.
Jae Crowder has the worst shooting percentage for the team. He only made 1 of his five shots. He was 0-4 from three.
Related: Should Bucks fans worry after the embarrassing loss to Boston?
What’s Next?
The two teams face-off against one another, again, on Wednesday Night.
Former Buck Brandon Jennings had some reassuring words on twitter. He wrote, “Bucks been off a week. I’m not worried at all.” For Milwaukee fans let’s hope he is right.
Bucks been off a week. I’m not worried at all
— Brandon Jennings (@Tuff__Crowd) April 17, 2023
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